Roma hammer Parma in Serie A

DPA Milan, March 2 (DPA) Second-place Roma have crushed visiting Parma 4-0 moving six points clear of the top in Serie A. The young Alberto Aquilani Saturday put Roma one up before an own goal and final efforts from Francesco Totti and Mirko Vucinic doomed Parma to a defeat that held them dangerously close to the three-team drop zone.

Parma started fast at the Stadio Olimpico but created a single chance on 20 minutes as play maker Andrea Gasbarroni set up Igor Budan on the right flank for a drive well saved by Alexander Doni.

A wide header from Rodrigo Taddei five minutes later signalled that Roma, who Wednesday meet Real Madrid in the Champions League, didn’t mean to run further risks against the visiting minnows.

Aquilani triggered the action that led to his goal on 27 minutes, defending the ball in midfield to inspire an attack on the left flank.

Six minutes after the break, Bucci was fooled by Giulio Falcone as the defender tried to cut off the onrushing Christian Panucci and Totti drilled home one of his trademark drives with 10 minutes left.

The goal was the best way for Totti to celebrate his 388th game with Roma. No other footballer played as many games for the Rome side.

A defence blunder allowed Montenegro substitute Vucinic to flick home from close range in injury time.

Roma have 55 points from 26 games, while Parma, on 25 points, lie just two notches above third-from-bottom Livorno.

Later Saturday, AC Milan drew 1-1 at home against 10-man Lazio, remaining one point shy of fourth-placed Fiorentina.

The Florence side, on 44 points, occupy the last available Champions League berth ahead of a game at third-place Juventus.

Milan are the title holders in the elite tournament and Tuesday face a final-16 return match against Arsenal after a scoreless draw in the away game. DPA